Credit cards with no credit check and no annual fee

One simple way to obtain a credit card despite a lack of credit is to become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card. Becoming an authorized user involves finding a trusted and trusting friend or family member to add you to their credit card account as an authorized user. This usually gives you access to many of the same benefits as the primary cardholder, including your own card with your own name on it. Many banks report authorized user activity to the three major credit bureaus.

Another option is to find a co-signer to sign on your own credit card application. This person is a guarantee to the bank that if you aren’t able to make your credit card payments, they will. If you’re looking for a co-signer, make sure you choose someone with a good credit score and steady income who can help increase your chances of being approved for a credit card.

Why Is It Important To Establish Credit?

Good credit is a sign to vendors, banks and companies you are a trustworthy, low-risk leasee or borrower capable of paying off your bills or loans on time. Great credit makes up a major part of your financial identity and comes with many advantages. These advantages include benefiting from lower interest or insurance rates, receiving approval for large purchases or loans and earning more rewards on shopping and travel.

How To Build Credit When You Have None

Building excellent credit can take a long time, especially if you start from scratch. Luckily there are several ways to get started on building your credit history. Becoming an authorized user is a popular route—especially for teenagers trying to build financial history early. You can also apply for a secured credit card or for a credit-builder loan. Both of these latter approaches are specifically intended as low-risk, easy ways for an individual to establish or rebuild credit history.

Become an Authorized User

You can build credit by becoming an authorized user on someone else’s card. Once authorized, you will receive your own credit card attached to the primary account. From there, the process of building your credit history is straightforward: Simply use the credit card and make your payments on time. If you do this consistently and avoid other credit pitfalls, such as overusing your credit, you can quickly build a decent credit score for yourself.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Credit Card?

To become the primary account holder on a credit card, federal law requires you must be at least 18 years of age. If between the ages of 18 and 20, a co-signer will be required if proof of independent income isn’t provided with the application. Younger teenagers can become authorized users on parents’ or guardians’ cards in many cases and can present a way to help teens get a jumpstart on building credit and help teach your kids responsible financial habits.

What Is APR?

Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the interest rate applied to the carried balance of a credit card. Your exact APR will depend on the bank, the type of credit card and your credit score at the time of application. It will also depend on something called the U.S. prime rate, which is a standard rate used by banks to establish a baseline APR. Though you will often see APR referred to as an annual rate, any interest being charged is actually calculated every month based on your current balance.

What Is a Good APR for a Credit Card?

APRs vary greatly from bank to bank and even from card to card. Many banks offer APRs ranging from 12% to 24% and some issuers will offer a 0% introductory APR to help new credit card holders start building credit. If you look for the lowest rates possible and stay on top of your credit card payments, you can usually avoid interest entirely. For more information on the ins-and-outs of how to evaluate credit card APR, check out our guide.

Why Can’t I Get a Credit Card?

Several factors may make it more difficult for you to obtain a credit card. If you do not have a steady job or provable source of income you are unlikely to receive approval for a credit card. Similarly if you have too much debt, a bad credit score and history, are under 18 or do not have a Social Security number getting a credit card in your name can be very difficult. While there are ways to work around these issues, including some—like becoming an authorized user or getting a secured card—it can take some persistence and patience while working through the process.

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Qualifying for a credit card with bad or no credit can be difficult. Typically, you’ll need a positive credit history or a minimum credit score to be approved for most cards, which can be frustrating.

Fortunately, there are many credit cards with no credit check requirements. These types of cards can help you start the process of rebuilding or raising your credit without strict guidelines regarding your credit history.

In this article

• Best credit cards with no credit check
• What to look for in a no-credit-check credit card
• Methodology
• FAQs
• Bottom line

Best credit cards with no credit check

Most credit cards typically come with high interest rates and many of those listed here are no exception. If you want to stay out of debt and build your credit, it’s often best to avoid carrying a balance and stay on top of your monthly payments to avoid late fees. Paying attention to your due dates can help keep your account in good standing.

Fortunately, you may qualify for many cards with nearly any type of credit. Even if you have bad credit or limited credit history, you could still be approved and work toward improving your creditworthiness.

Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card: Best for existing Chime members

The Chime Credit Builder is a Visa credit card that doesn’t require a credit check to apply. As a Visa card, it can be used almost anywhere credit cards are accepted. In addition, your everyday purchases and on-time payments can help build your credit since Chime reports this card’s activity to all three major credit bureaus. 2

You will need to have a Chime Checking Account in order to get the card. You won’t have to worry about an annual fee, but you will have a limit on how much you can spend with your card. However, you determine the limit by moving money from your linked Chime account to your Credit Builder account. The amount of money you move over is your line of credit. 1

Explore more benefits and features in our full Chime Credit Builder Visa Credit Card review.

Tomo Credit Card: Best for high credit limit

Tomo was built by immigrant founders who found it difficult to qualify for a credit card in the U.S. as foreign nationals. There’s no credit check required for the Tomo Credit Card since most foreign nationals have no history of U.S. credit. However, anyone without a credit history can benefit from this credit card.

Tomo doesn’t charge any fees, and there’s no requirement to put down a security deposit. Your available credit is determined by analyzing your bank account information, and your credit limit can be as high as $10,000. Tomo cardholders can also earn 1% cash back on all purchases.

For other credit cards with no credit requirement, check out our best credit cards for no credit.

Explore more benefits and features in our full Tomo Credit Card review.

Secured Sable ONE Credit Card: Best for earning cash back

The Secured Sable ONE Credit Card almost appears too good to be true for a secured card. There’s no credit check requirement, a $0 annual fee, and your credit activity gets reported to all three major credit bureaus. You do have to put down a security deposit, but there’s no minimum required. Additionally, you can graduate to an unsecured credit card in as little as four months and get your deposit back.

The Secured Sable ONE Credit Card comes with rewards and benefits you’d expect to find on credit cards that require excellent or good credit. This includes 2% cash back on purchases at Amazon, Uber, Uber Eats, Whole Foods, Netflix, Spotify, and more; plus, 1% cash back on all other purchases. You also get access to cell phone insurance, car rental insurance, purchase protection, price protection, and extended warranty benefits.

Explore more benefits and features in our full Secured Sable ONE Credit Card review.

GO2bank™ Secured Visa® Credit Card: Best for existing GO2bank members

The GO2bank™ Secured Visa® Credit Card is your typical secured credit card. It has a $0 annual fee and doesn’t require a credit check as long as you have a GO2bank account set up with direct deposits that have totaled at least $100 in the past 30 days. However, you can only apply for the card if you have a GO2bank account.

You also have to put down a security deposit of at least $100, which would be transferred from your linked GO2bank account. Your payment history is reported each month to the three major credit bureaus.

Explore more benefits and features in our full GO2bank Secured Visa Credit Card review.

OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card: Best for no banking affiliation

OpenSky is a financial services company that offers a secured credit card through Capital Bank. Compared to other cards on this list, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn’t have any additional benefits, its security deposit is slightly higher than normal, and it has a $35 annual fee.

However, OpenSky doesn’t require you to go through a credit check and have your payment history reported to major credit bureaus. Additionally, you don’t have to be a member of any financial institution to qualify for this card. Unlike a few of the cards on this list, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card doesn’t require you to open a bank account in order to apply.

For these reasons and more, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card could be one of the best credit cards for poor credit.

Explore more benefits and features in our full OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card review.

Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students: Best for students

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is only available if you attend a U.S. college or university. You don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to apply since you don’t need a Social Security number, but you must be attending a U.S. college to qualify.

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students can be helpful for students with no credit history who want their first credit card since it doesn’t require a credit check to apply. It also has a $0 annual fee, no security deposit requirement, no foreign transaction fees, and your credit activity is reported to Experian and TransUnion.

Additional benefits include cashback rewards and a generous sign-up bonus. You earn 1% cash back on all purchases and you can earn free year of Amazon Prime Student after spending $500 in the first 3 months. Most cards on this list don’t offer rewards or sign-up bonuses, which could make this card a smart option for students.

For more student credit card options, check out the best credit cards for students.

Explore more benefits and features in our full Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students review.

What to look for in a no-credit-check credit card

As you compare options for no-credit-check credit cards, it’s important to keep an eye out for different card details and features. For example, does the card have any fees? Will you have to put down a security deposit? These and other characteristics could help narrow down which card might be the best fit for you.

• Reports to all three credit bureaus: If you want to build your credit history, your credit activity needs to be reported to the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Having activity reported to one or two of the bureaus can be helpful, but reporting to all three is best.
• Low fees: In most cases, avoiding as many fees as possible is often the best way to use any credit card. With no-credit-check credit cards, you typically have plenty of options with no annual fees. Unless there’s a particular reason you have to get a card with an annual fee, qualifying for a no-annual-fee credit card could save you money.
• Secured vs. unsecured: Secured credit cards typically have strict credit limits that are often tied to a security deposit you make. The higher the security deposit, the higher the limit. Unsecured credit cards don’t have this restriction and typically allow for more freedom with credit limits. No-credit-check cards can be either secured or unsecured, but you likely want an unsecured version for increased freedom.
• Low security deposit: Depending on your situation, you might find secured credit cards to be your most accessible option. If so, a card with a low security deposit could make sense if you don’t have a lot of spare cash. Refundable security deposits are common and let you get your deposit back when you close the account or graduate to an unsecured card. However, your money will still be tied up in the meantime.
• Mobile app: If you value convenience when managing your finances, having access to a mobile app to oversee your credit card activity is important. This can let you see your balance and make payments while on the go rather than relying on being at a computer all the time.
• Earns rewards: The main goal of using a no-credit-check card is typically to build your credit history. But with some cards, you’re also able to earn rewards, often in the form of cash back. Rewards cards often offer greater value over credit cards without a rewards program.
• Has additional benefits: Apart from earning rewards, some cards may also offer other benefits such as the perks associated with Visa or Mastercard. In the case of the Sable Secured Credit Card, you get loads of complimentary protection and coverage benefits included with your card.

Methodology

To select this specific line-up of cards, we analyzed a variety of credit cards and determined which ones should make our list based on a number of factors. These include whether a card has any applicable fees or security deposits, what benefits (if any) are available, and if there are any credit check requirements.

To determine the “best for” labels, we compared the selected cards to see which features or benefits might set them apart from the other cards.

FAQs

Bottom line

You have plenty of choices for credit cards that don’t require a credit check, but the best one will depend on your situation and financial goals. You might want a card with the lowest security deposit or a card that can help you earn rewards and build credit at the same time. Whatever the case, your goal is to improve your credit score and open up more financial opportunities.

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